Murder Over Academic Excellence
A 16-year-old seminary student was allegedly strangled to death by two fellow students who, according to police, killed him out of jealousy over his academic performance. The suspects then dumped his body in a roadside drain and attempted to frame their Quran teacher.
Victim and Suspects Identified
The victim, Muhammad Shoaib, a resident of Chak 237-GB, was studying to memorise the Holy Quran at Madressah in the Batala Colony area along with his younger brother, Muhammad Abdullah. Investigators said Shoaib was considered one of the seminary's brightest students and had earned the confidence of the institution's teacher, Qari Riffaqat, allegedly provoking jealousy among two fellow students, identified as Rehan and Irfan.
Details of the Crime
Police said the two teenage suspects allegedly strangled Shoaib while he was asleep on the night of June 28. They then placed his body in a sack and, under the cover of darkness, dumped it into a drain along Satiana Road. When Qari Riffaqat later inquired about Shoaib's whereabouts, the suspects denied any knowledge of his disappearance. Shoaib's brother also searched for him before informing their mother, who alerted the police through the Rescue 15 helpline.
Investigation and Arrests
Batala Colony police initially registered a kidnapping case and launched a search for the missing student. During the investigation, police said the two suspects allegedly spread a false story claiming that the seminary teacher had beaten Shoaib to death and disposed of his body in the drain. In view of the seriousness of the allegation, police took Qari Riffaqat into custody for questioning. However, during interviews with students at the seminary, a younger student allegedly informed investigators that Rehan and Irfan had strangled Shoaib and disposed of his body. Police then detained the two suspects for interrogation. The investigators said they confessed to the crime and led police to the drain where Shoaib's body was recovered.
Legal Proceedings
Following the recovery, police added murder charges to the kidnapping case and shifted the body to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. The investigation is ongoing. Police said further legal action would be taken in light of the evidence collected during the probe.
